MENA REVIEW

Unit 8

Dome of The Rock

Marks the spot where Muslims believe Muhammad rose up to heaven

Western Wall

The holiest Jewish site in Jerusalem

PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization

Group formed to regain land currently under Israeli control for the Palestinian Arabs

Taliban

A strict group in Afghanistan which imposed rigid rules on society

Mosque

A Muslim house of worship

OPECGroup responsible for controlling worldwide oil prices

Kurds

Ethnic group that has lived in the areas of Turkey, Iraq, and Iran for about a thousand years

Muhammad

Islam is a religion based on the teaching of the prophet. Who is the prophet?

Ramadan

Holy month of fasting for Muslims

Mecca

The city of pilgrimage for Muslims

Jerusalem

The birthplace of all three major religions in the Middle East.

Arid Climate

- This type of climate dominates this region

Oil

Primary resource of the Middle East

Sahara

The desert that dominates a large part of North Africa and is the largest desert in the world

Delta● Before a river empties into a larger body of water, the river may spread into

small channels, creating a triangle shape. This feature is called what?

ArabicDominant language of this region.

Abraham

This biblical character is a prominent person in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Saudi Arabia

In what country is the city of Mecca located?

Five Pillars of Faith- Statement of Faith- Prayer 5 times daily- Fasting- Alms to the poor- Pilgrimage to Mecca

Sunni / Shi’a

Two major divisions in the Religion of Islam

Suez Canal- This piece of infrastructure connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean

Sea in Egypt.

Zionism

A movement to create and support a Jewish homeland in Israel.

Jordan River

This river forms a natural border between the countries of Israel and Jordan

1948

In what year was the modern state of Israel created by the United Nations?

Nomads

People in the Middle East that move from place to place. Traditional way of life in the region.

Synagogue

House of worship for followers of Judaism

Monotheism

Term for believing in one god.

Baghdad

City built between the Tigris and the Euphrates River in Iraq

- Area formerly known as Mesopotamia- Capital of Iraq.

Israel

- Only country in MENA not dominated by Islamic religion

- Currently occupies West Bank and Gaza Strip (inhabited by stateless nations)

Persian Gulf States

- Kuwait- Iraq- Bahrain- UAE- Oil producing Countries- Choke Points (straits and shipping

routes that can be blocked for political purposes)

Iran

- Shah deposed- Revolution in 1979- Fought against Iraq- Ayatollah Khomeini- Mostly Shi’ite- Former Persian Empire- Strait of Hormuz- Tehran - Capital

Egypt

- Suez Canal- Great Pyramids- Nile River- Arab Spring- Tahrir Square- Cairo - Capital

Saudi Arabia

- Red Sea- Mecca and Medina- World largest producer of oil- King Abdullah- Rub al Khali

Where is…(hyperlink to Map Game)

● Turkey● Afghanistan● Iraq● Iran● Syria● Saudi Arabia● Israel● Jordan● Nile River● Red Sea● Tigris River● Euphrates River● Egypt● Caspian Sea● Black Sea

PreAP - Where is...

● Oman● Yemen● Libya● Persian Gulf● Algeria● Straits of Hormuz● Black Sea● Lake Nassar● Taurus Mountains● Zagros Mountains

PreAP: Remember, you will be writing an essay on major religions of the world, AND an essay on the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.